Woolwich council delays decision on controversial gravel pit
Residents got a chance to go on the record Tuesday night about a proposal for a large gravel pit in Woolwich Township.
There was a long list of speakers at the council meeting, with some expressing concerns the proposed pit would come at the expense of prime farmland.
The meeting began at 5 p.m. with more than two dozen delegates eager to share their thoughts.
According to a report from township staff, the proposed gravel pit on Forester Road near Maryhill checks all the right boxes with no unacceptable impacts. They have been urging council to approve it.
Capital Paving, the company behind the proposal, says they've revised the plan over the years to appease community concerns, including adding noise audits and multiple reviews.
The company also insists that extraction at the pit will remain above the water table.
“Capitals application has gone through its due process. We have provided all the information required and asked for,” said George Lourenco of Capital Paving. “We’ve satisfied all the agencies concerns as well as all the independent expert peer reviewers hired by both the region and the township and it’s now been over two years since the application was first made with plenty of time for consultation.”
The Guelph-based construction company plans to use 230 acres of land for the gravel pit that would be in operation for 10 to 15 years to collect material to help supply nearby construction projects.
The proposed site is located next to Merry-Hill Golf Course and staff there worry about the impact on their business.
“Loss of business income, loss of a beautiful tree inventory, noise disruption, dust disruption, visual disruption, vibration disruption, possible impacts in a water supply, potential to lose our right to build a residence on the property. The list goes on and on,” said Brandon Peister of Merry-Hill Golf Club.
Residents living nearby raised concerns about the impact on the environment and traffic. A local relator says the gravel pit could devalue properties in the area and more than 20 delegates urged council not to approve the project.
“This gravel pit will, one way or the other, will be your legacy. We urge you to stand up for your residents,” said Erin Finlay.
Council ultimately decided to delay a decision in order to gather more information about things like recycling on the site and the existing water table.
The gravel pit discussion is on pause until council’s meeting on August 10.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.